AUSTIN, Texas – St. Edward's opened up its home conference slate Thursday with a resounding 76-54 victory over rival St. Mary's at the Recreation and Convocation Center.
 
The Hilltoppers (11-6, 3-1 Heartland) used a smothering defense in the win. They forced 24 Rattler turnovers while shooting 50 percent from the three-point line to win their third straight Heartland Conference game.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Through the first 15 minutes of action, both teams matched each other shot for shot, producing a 21-21 tie with just over five minutes left in the first half.
• St. Edward's turned up the offense down the stretch, outscoring St. Mary's 14-0 to open a big halftime lead.
• The Hilltoppers locked down the Rattlers as the visitors turned the ball over five times in the final stanza.
• St. Edward's kept the pressure on St. Mary's as the lead swelled over 20 for most of the second half.

 
HILLTOPPER NOTES

• JAMES TAYLOR led the Hilltoppers with 16 points in only 13 minutes of action.
• JOHN GRAMLICH added 12 points and six assists while both SEAN WATKINS and RAMIR BURTON scored 10 each.
• The 22-point victory was the biggest win for St. Edward's over St. Mary's since a 79-59 victory over the Rattlers during the 1995-96 season.
• St. Edward's collected a season-high 15 steals.
• St. Edward's has now won three straight games against St. Mary's in Austin.

 
QUOTE BOARD: HEAD COACH ANDRE COOK
"We were expecting a dogfight and that didn't happen for most of the game. We played well tonight. We have faced those guys numerous times and it has gone the other way a few times. They really want to play a physical, grind it out game and we are a little more of an offensive team. It was a battle of two different styles and tonight our style won. We now need to prepare for a tough game coming up Saturday against Texas A&M-International"
 
UP NEXT
St. Edward's is back in action Saturday when they host Heartland Conference leading Texas A&M-International at 3 p.m. inside the Recreation and Convocation Center. Live video and stats will be available at www.GoHilltoppers.com.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Score: St. Edward's 76, St. Mary's 54
Records: St. Edward's (11-6, 3-1 Heartland), St. Mary's (4-10, 2-3 Heartland)
Leading Scorers: St. Edward's-Taylor (16), St. Mary's-Wetzell (11)
Attendance: 318
 
HEARTLAND CONFERENCE STANDINGS
Team                           Conference                 Overall
TAMU-International             4-1                         10-5
St. Edward's                        3-1                         11-6
Newman                               3-1                         5-8
UA Fort Smith                      3-2                         9-7
Lubbock Christian                2-2                         8-6
Dallas Baptist                      2-2                         7-6
Rogers State                       2-3                         9-6
St. Mary's                             2-3                        4-10
Oklahoma Christian            1-3                         6-6
Panhandle State                  0-4                         5-8

For the latest updates on the St. Edward's men's basketball team, follow us on Twitter at @SEUMBasketball.